Amanda was very gracious and let me use a gift card she had to order this book that I’ve been wanting to read for some time.
I’ve heard Rabbi Lapin talk about this book on the radio and enjoyed the perspective and what he has to say.
The book is precisely what is stated in the title – “Ten Commandments for Making Money.” But, instead of being some sort of a get rich quick scheme this book is a collection of attitudes, cultural norms and spiritual realities that Rabbi Lapin has studied and observed to be the keys to why the Jewish people, often in the face of opposition, have prospered in a disproportionate manner compared to other groups.
The Ten Commandments are:
- Believe in the Dignity and Morality of Business
- Extend the Network of your Connectedness to Many People
- Get to Know Yourself
- Do Not Pursue Perfection
- Lead Consistently and Constantly
- Constantly Change the Changeable While Steadfastly Clinging to the Unchangeable
- Learn to Foretell the Future
- Know Your Money
- Act Rich: Give Away 10 Percent of Your After Tax Income
- Never Retire
I’m half way through the first commandment and am really enjoying the release and freedom in the first commandment – “Believe in the Dignity and Morality of Business”. So much of what we see and hear from media today paints the picture of the “greedy businessman”, a stereotype that is just not true.
Rabbi Lapin states:
Increasing numbers of Americans view wealth not as the morally legitimate rewards of risk, innovation, and effort, but as an unjust and morally suspect outcome.
I really enjoy the clear counterargument to popular opinion that earning an honest living as a business owner is a noble calling and can’t be completed without pleasing other people and providing a quality useful service. Great stuff. Solid observations. Take that Gordon Gekko!
I’m excited to keep reading through the next nine commandments!
